ST. NICHOLAS RC CHURCH

Transcription

1 ST. NICHOLAS RC CHURCH Served by the Vocationist Fathers Fr. Christogonus (Chris) Iwunze, S.D.V., Pastor Fr. Roberto da Silva, S.D.V., Parochial Vicar Fr. Louis Caputo, S.D.V.,Weekend Assistant Deacon Thomas La Russa, S.D.V., D.R.E. Church & Rectory 442 E Brinkerhoff Ave Palisades Park, NJ Tel Fax stnicholas07650@live.com Website. Office Hours Mon, Wed, Thu & Fri 11:30 AM - 6:00 PM Tuesdays 4:00 PM - 9:00 PM (Mornings by appointment only) 4 th Sunday of Advent December 23 rd, 2018 Blessed are you who believed that what was spoken by the Lord would be fulfilled (Luke 1:39-45). ADMINISTRATION OF THE SACRAMENTS Baptisms: On any available Sunday during the 11:00 AM (Italian), 9:30 AM or 12:30 PM (English) & 7:00 PM (Portuguese) Masses. Please, contact the rectory at least one month prior to desired date. Confessions: Saturdays 4:00 to 4:45 PM, or during the week by appointment. Marriages: Please contact the rectory at least six months prior to desired wedding date. Sacrament of the Sick: If you are hospitalized or unable to come to Church for health reasons and would like to be visited by a priest for Confession, Communion, or Anointing of the Sick, please call the rectory. Religious Education Program (CCD): For children 1 st to 8 th grades who are not attending Catholic School. Classes are held on Sundays from September to May at 11:30 AM, with attendance to the 12:30 PM Family Mass. Confirmation: Teens will receive the Sacrament of Confirmation on 8 th grade. They will attend classes at 11:30 AM from September to December; and from January to April classes will start at 11:00 AM in the church hall, with attendance to the 12:30 PM Family Mass. Saturday: MASS SCHEDULE 7:00 & 8:00 AM 5:00 PM - Vigil Mass Sunday: 7:30 AM, 9:30 AM 11:00 AM (Italian) 12:30 PM - Family Mass 7:00 PM (Portuguese) Weekdays: 7:00 & 8:00 AM Holy Days: 6:30, 8:00, 10:00 AM & 7:30 PM Other Weekly Services & Activities: Mon to Sat 7:35 AM - Morning Prayer 8:30 AM - Holy Rosary (English) Tuesdays 9:00 AM - Legion of Mary 7:00 PM - Bible Study (English) 7:30 PM - St. Padre Pio Mass (1/15) 7:30 PM - St. Anthony s Group (1/8) 7:30 PM - Holy Rosary Society 8:00 PM - Holy Rosary (Portuguese) Wednesdays 2:00 PM - Holy Rosary (Italian) Thursday 6:15 to 7:15 PM - Holy Hour Adoration for Vocations (Dec 20, 27, Jan 10, 17, 24, 31) Friday 8:30 PM - Brazilian Prayer Group 1 st Friday 8:30 AM to 7:30 PM - Blessed Sacrament Adoration (1/4) Sunday 6:00 PM - Holy Rosary by Brazilian Men (1/13)

2 ST NICHOLAS RC CHURCH Parish Trustee: Giovanni Simone & Michael Massaro Parish Secretary: Débora Moreira Music Ministry: Addie Luers, Giovanni & Karen Simone, and Kelly Oliveira Vocationist Sisters Community Sr. Benedita Carvalho, S.D.V., Superior & Pre-K Director; Sr. Jancy Thomas, S.D.V. and Sr. Emilia Din, S.D.V th Street - Palisades Park, NJ Tel Parish Pre-K Fr. Justin Learning Center Tel NOTRE DAME ACADEMY 312 First St Palisades Park, NJ Principal: Mark Valvano Tel Mass Intentions SATURDAY, December 22 7:00AM Johanna Scrivanic by Antonia Picinic 8:00AM Albert Veltri by his wife & family 5:00PM MaryJoan Fasciano by Phil & Louise Luciano SUNDAY, December 23 7:30AM Elvira & Luz by John & Aurora 9:30AM Nicolina & John Mattessich by Marie & children 11:00AM Angelo Cecere by his wife & children 12:30PM Maria Piccini by her son & family MONDAY, December 24 7:00AM Anna Tarabocchia by M/M Mario Hroncich 8:00AM Maria Lechich by her daughter & family 5:00PM Cooney & Ettore family by family Midnight Giuseppe Osso by his wife & children TUESDAY, December 25 CHRISTMAS 7:30AM Mario Lisica by his mother Regina 9:30AM John Ferraioli by his family 11:00AM Maria Mirkovich by his daughter Gaudenzia 12:30PM Charles & Ruth Kaltenbock by their daughter WEDNESDAY, December 26 7:00AM Johana Scrivanich by M/M R. Skalamera & fam 8:00AM Francis M. Searfoss by Pat Searfoss THURSDAY, December 27 7:00AM Chris Messina Anitra by Claudette DeGrace 8:00AM Riccardo Mattessich by Bruno & Nickie Piccinich FRIDAY, December 28 7:00AM Glen Martin by Joseph & Maria Hroncich 8:00AM Riccardo Mattessich by Corrado & Mattea Piccinich SATURDAY, December 29 7:00AM Johanna Scrivanic by M/M Jordan & family 8:00AM Mattea Piccinich by Antonio & Maria Piccinich 5:00PM Lynn Malone by Gina DiBona SUNDAY, December 30 7:30AM All souls in purgatory by Gaudenzia Mattessich 9:30AM Ludovica DeSanctis by Paul & Gina Odorisio 11:00AM Carmina Osso Molinaro by Agnes Pontecorvo & fam. 12:30PM Estefano, Luigi & Grazia by Maria Carbone News of the Parish Have a blessed Christmas! Best wishes from Fr. Chris and St. Nicholas staff CHRISTMAS MASS SCHEDULE Monday, December 24 CHRISTMAS EVE 5:00 PM - Vigil 11:30 PM - Christmas Carols 12:00 AM - Midnight Mass Tuesday, December 25 CHRISTMAS DAY 7:30, 9:30 AM and 12:30 PM (English) 11:00 AM (Italian) and 7:00 PM (Portuguese) Monday, December 31 7:00 and 8:00 AM (English) Tuesday, January 1, 2019 Feast of Mary, Mother of God (It s a holy day of obligation) 7:00, 8:00 and 10:00 AM (English) 11:00 AM (Italian) and 7:30 PM (English) THERE WILL BE NO CCD classes December 23 and 30. Classes will resume on Sunday, January 6. PARISH COUNCIL will meet on Monday, January 7, 2019 at 7:30 PM in the church hall. All coordinators and leaders of group should attend. CHRISTMAS GIVING TREES Our parishioners were extremely generous with their Christmas gifts this year. Thanks to you all! WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 26 ST. STEPHEN S FEAST Rectory office will be closed. In Memoriam ALTAR CANDLES donated this week in memory of the Raymond Mullins by Tony & Blanche DiBona BREAD AND WINE donated this week in memory of the Angelo Cecere by his wife & family

3 MEMORIES AND DREAMS Throughout our lives, we retain the language and habits of our native region and family of origin. Should we return to our home after a long absence, we quickly revert to its familiar speech and practices. Our deep memory is reflected in old stories and words and speech patterns. This familiarity runs like an underground river and accompanies us wherever we go. Not only do we remember, we are incorporated into and made part of a greater memory. In remembering and recollecting, we are in turn gathered up and re-collected. Today we remember Mary, a small figure travelling the country roads to visit Elizabeth. All the great pronouncements and dreams of the prophets point to this time when the Lord s words to Mary would be gathered and fulfilled. The memories of her people are alive in her, and memories of her nourish our own living faith. Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co. STEWARDSHIP OF TIME AND TALENT We are thankful to our CCD parents who have supported our Religious Education Program by bringing their children to CCD and church on Sundays and attending Mass together as a family. And to our dear catechists who dedicate their Time & Talent instructing our children in God s ways. We pray that the Lord will continue to bless their lives with good health, peace and love, and keep in their hearts the burning desire to serve Him and His church even more everyday. Merry Christmas!! O COME, LONG FORETOLD O come, Desired of nations, Whom priest and prophet long foretold Will break the captive fetters, Redeem the long-lost fold. Dear Savior, haste; come, come to earth, Dispel the night and show your face, And bid us hail the dawn of grace. -- Simon J. Pellegrin ( ), Tr. by Mary of St. Philip ( ) Ministers Schedule for December 30 6:00 PM: Lector - Carmela B. and Derek E.M. - Maria Claudia and Adriana 7:30 AM: Lectors - Michael and John E. M. - Sr. Jancy and Sr. Emilia 9:30 AM: Lectors - Gina and Suzanne E.M. - Lynn and Carol 11:00 AM: Lectors - Antonia and Margherita E.M. - Carmela A., Francesca and Frank 12:30 PM : Lector - Rita E.M. - Suzanne 7:00 PM : Lector - Katia and Leny E.M. - Cida and Candinho Pastoral Care Holy Communion was brought this month to: Victor Columbini, Frances Ceria, Cynthia Cornell, Anita Lauria, Francesco DeCandia, Eileen Murphy and Arthur Mazzarella. Pray for our sick: Mateus Ribeiro, Domenica & Vincenzo Dinaro, Josephine Dolberry, Angela Tina, Rita Vanore, Eileen Murphy, Dominick Ostuni, Sara Modafferi, John Hroncich (J. Hroncich s nephew), James Malatesta, Arthur Mazzarella, Dolly Marie Caiazzo, Frank Cousin Pallotta, Francesco DeCandia, Rosetta Lo Faro, Lina Cannella, Paul Albanese, Paul Albanese, Stefano Sgambellone, Fr. Steve Conner, Giulia Picinich and Anne Mulieri. TREASURES FROM OUR TRADITION In ancient pagan Rome, these days in mid-december were a time for general slacking off at work and far too much rejoicing. The period of leisure after the harvest and a whole cluster of pagan festivals were a force for the church to reckon with. The Saturnalia, breaking out on December 17, was a time of high living and loose morals. Christians were advised by their bishops to drop out of the mayhem and do some serious fasting. A famous church council at Saragossa in Spain made a season of fasting mandatory from December 17 to December 23, exactly coinciding with the Saturnalia. The bishops at that time were perhaps less concerned with preparing for Christmas than with resisting the kind of loose living going on. Modern times have restored a bit of the Saturnalia spirit to our culture, so that a general period of partying with a vague connection to religion is now upon us. How does a Christian keep balance? The practice of charity by remembering the poor in our gift-giving, of hospitality in finding a place at our holiday tables for the poor and lonely, and of daily prayer in the home and at church are great helps. Although Advent is not a penitential season like Lent, it is a time for making room in our lives for what matters most. --James Field, Copyright (c) J. S. Paluch Co.

4 We are looking for a SINGER/ORGANIST to play at our 7:30 AM and 9:30 AM Sunday Masses. If you know anyone who is interested, please talk to Fr. Chris or call the office at during the week. If you wish to receive the Pilgrim Statue of Our Lady of Fatima into your home for the year 2019, please fill in your name and phone number for the week of your choice on the calendar at the entrance of the church. If you or someone you know is sick, home bounded, cannot attend Masses and would like to receive the visit of a priest or Eucharist Minister to bring Holy Communion, please call rectory office at FRANCISCAN C.D.C. s ANNUAL HOLIDAY DRIVE FOR THE HOMELESS - This Christmas can you spare a pair? Help us warm their heart and soul - $5 Gift Card or a pair of warm socks. The Franciscan Sisters are located at 239 Anderson Ave in Fairview, NJ Call: ST. NICHOLAS FUNDRAISING EVENT ~ TRICK TRAY 2019 ~ We are beginning to collect items to be auctioned on Saturday, June, 1 of 2019 NEW, NOT USED, UNOPENED gifts, toys, games, electronics, kitchen appliances, home decoration, paintings, books, jewelry, etc. All donations are tax deductible! Shoprite Cards are available after each Sunday Mass or during the week at the office. Our church will get 5% of what you spend. Donation for the Poinsettias decorating the altar this Christmas From: In loving memory of: Donation of $ Please return this slip with your donation to the rectory office or drop in the collection baskets We extend a warm welcome to our new parishioners. We hope that you will always feel welcomed here at our St. Nicholas Parish. We ask all our new parishioners to please come to the rectory to register. If you wish to receive envelopes, please contact the rectory office. Envelope offerings are registered and for those who so desire, if you need we will issue a certificate of your offerings at the end of the year for your tax deduction. Holy Hour of Adoration for Vocations Holy hours of Adoration are the Roman Catholic devotional tradition of spending an hour in Eucharistic Adoration in the presence of the Blessed Sacrament. We focus our prayer to Jesus Christ on peace, life, vocations, and other topics that are at the heart of the life of the Church and the world. Every week on Thursday from 6:15 to 7:15 PM in church (Except on eve of first Fridays) ATTENTION: Please be aware that in case of heavy snow and ice on the ground, the 7:00 AM weekday Mass will be canceled. You may attend the 8:00 AM Mass. If in doubt, call the rectory before leaving your house or check our website Vocationist Corner O Holy Family of Jesus, Mary and Joseph, model and exemplar of supernatural life in its greatest fullness and splendor; O exemplar of the grace of Divine Union with the Most Holy Trinity, be my family! O Jesus, Mary and Joseph, O my Holy Family, for all eternity you remain destined to receive as your members all the Elect, regardless of any bond of flesh or blood, be my family! O Joseph, O Mary, O Jesus! Not even the state of the Risen Body can give us an adequate idea of the spirituality of your Virginal Flesh, of the senses and acts of your body, of the life of your family. Blessed Fr. Justin Russolillo, SDV, Spirit of Prayer, page 146 St. Nicholas RC Church & the Vocationist Community of Palisades Park invites you and your family to a morning of reflection on the Vocationist Spirituality on Monday, January 21 st 2019 at 10:30 AM. Brother Jerome Bauer, S.D.V. will make his perpetual vows at the 11:45 PM Mass that day. Come and celebrate with him this very important step of his religious life.

5 The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ The Twenty-fifth Day of December, when ages beyond number had run their course from the creation of the world, when God in the beginning created heaven and earth, and formed man in his own likeness; when century upon century had passed since the Almighty set his bow in the clouds after the Great Flood, as a sign of covenant and peace; in the twenty-first century since Abraham, our father in faith, came out of Ur of the Chaldees; in the thirteenth century since the People of Israel were led by Moses in the Exodus from Egypt; around the thousandth year since David was anointed King; in the sixty-fifth week of the prophecy of Daniel; in the one hundred and ninety-fourth Olympiad; in the year seven hundred and fifty-two since the foundation of the City of Rome; in the forty-second year of the reign of Caesar Octavian Augustus, the whole world being at peace, JESUS CHRIST, eternal God and Son of the eternal Father, desiring to consecrate the world by his most loving presence, was conceived by the Holy Spirit, and when nine months had passed since his conception, was born of the Virgin Mary in Bethlehem of Judah, and was made man: The Nativity of Our Lord Jesus Christ according to the flesh.